[harkins77]

I went upto Carlisle to get the front and rear door cards and just as I pulled off the M6 onto the A6 I could hear this awful noise coming from the car. I initially thought it was something dragging on the floor but after pulling up at some lights I still heard the noise when stationary.

I managed to make it to the place I was heading to and made a decision to get the recovery to get me home as the lad I went to see seemed to think it was the alternator making the noise but wasn't sure.

After waiting approx 30 mins for the recovery to arrive to give a diagnosis he confirmed that the blades were further out at the top compared to the bottom of the turn where they appeared to be catching the housing of the alternator. When you looked down at the fins on the bottom of the alternator you could see a shiny thin line on the blades where it had worn down.

I'm hoping I can get some help in 1. locating the right alternator for the M series nasp and 2. to be able to help me to fit it in time to still be able to make it to the BL day on the 7th August.

[harkins77]

I've just rang Rimmers and although they don't stock it anymore or even get it from Xpart they have given me a part number is gnu 2324-a127/65. But when I have rang a few places to get an idea of cost for a replacement they can't seem to recognize the serial number for the alternator.

Can anyone help or shed any light on this for me please.

[mach1rob]

Have you tried a local parts factor like Partco, they should be able to find one. I would expect it's a part shared by many other makes and models, the alternator of my 820 Turbo was same fittings as a Mini, just a different pulley and that's easy enough to change.

Failing that, try Yellow Pages etc for a local place to refurb yours.

[E_T_V]

look up type A127 alternators, they are VERY common. Go to a refurb place and they'll fix it or sell you a fixed one. the /65 means it is a 65 amp one (again very common).

I think almost all my cars have this alternator fitted!

[harkins77]

What about the other numbers of the number that Rimmers gave me?

I'm just unsure if all the a127/65 alternators will be a straight replacement. Do they not all have different mounting points?

I'm a real newbie at this so I apologize if the questions are going over the same things again. I tried Halfords and they don't do them anymore or at least list them anymore.

And the auto electrics company want me to remove it from the car and take it down before they will quote me a price.

I've found this one http://www.autoelectricsupplies.co.uk/product/908 but without knowing it's the right one I don't want to buy it and face having to send it back as it's wrong.

Also is removing the alternator a difficult job and does the front bumper need removing?

[mach1rob]

Removal is pretty easy, no need to remove the bumper at all. Disconnect battery. Slacken the belt (I'm having a senior moment and can't remember if the M has an auto tensioner like the T) if it does, 15mm nut, release the tension, slip belt off. Disconnect the wiring, then undo the 3 mounting nuts, lift alternator out.

Most refurb places will need you to remove it from the car first unfortunately.

[harkins77]

Thanks Rob I'll give it a bash tomorrow and let you know how I get on.

[mach1rob]

Good luck! It's not hard, just fiddly, especially the lower nuts, but it really is a simple job.

[harkins77]

I'm more nervous about putting it back together and getting the right tension or torque on the nuts so I don't mess it up and cause myself a larger problem.

[E_T_V]

If the tensioner is the same as the T series one then it is auto tensioning so you can't get that wrong

We'd been driving our 200gtit for many years and it was only a few months ago I realised half the bolts weren't in the alternator! (Bloomin previous owners!)